Vancouver Island Technology Park

Rona Ambrose gave her alma mater a million-dollar boost yesterday.

Ambrose, visiting the University of Victoria in her role as federal minister of western economic diversification, announced funding of $1,036,400 for technology-related projects organized through the Gordon Head campus. The funds will provide equipment for the chemistry and physics/astronomy departments, enhancements for the renowned VENUS undersea project, and an upgrade for the conference centre at the UVic-owned Vancouver Island Technology Park.

“Strengthening UVic’s world-class research capacity is important to British Columbia, but it’s also important to the rest of the country,” said Ambrose, who graduated from UVic in 1995 with a degree in psychology before moving on to the University of Alberta and eventually a career in politics.

Ambrose, a former environment minister, lauded the VENUS (Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea) project as an example of “leading-edge science and technology.” The $353,700 in funding it receives will purchase specialized equipment to be used near the mouth of the Fraser River.

Rona Ambrose gave her alma mater a million-dollar boost yesterday. Ambrose, visiting the University of Victoria in her role as federal minister [...]

The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) is among 11
organizations to be named Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and
Research (CECRs). The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, made the
announcement on behalf of the Government of Canada.CDRD will receive $15 million over five years to accelerate the translation of health research into high value medicines.

“This is a great time for CDRD and we applaud the Government of Canada for recognizing and addressing the gap between great Canadian discoveries and new therapeutics that improve the health and economic well-being of Canadians,” says Natalie Dakers, Chief Executive Officer for CDRD. “Our unique hybrid model that brings together academic researchers from BC’s institutions and provides a path to commercialization, exactly addresses what the Government of Canada is hoping to achieve with these Centres of Excellence. This funding recognizes that we are well on our way to tackling this issue, builds on our existing foundation and significantly accelerates our progress and increases our capacity.”

In follow up to an invitation mailed a few weeks ago, a friendly reminder that BCNET in partnership with CANARIE is hosting a launch event on March 17, 2008 to announce a significant upgrade to BC’s only dedicated advanced high-speed network for research and higher education.
British Columbians now have access to one of the world’s most advanced optical lightpath “Internet” networks. The upgraded next generation advanced network has a record breaking capacity for 72-optical wavelengths that offers 10 gigabit per second communication capability on each wavelength. This network now provides an unprecedented bandwidth and network speed to meet the growing demands of collaboration in research and education in BC for the next 10 years to come.

OncoGenex Technologies Inc. announced today that the Company’s lead cancer drug candidate, OGX-011, also referred to as custirsen, was well-tolerated in combination with either docetaxel or mitoxantrone administered as second-line chemotherapy in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer. Additionally, patients treated with second-line chemotherapy plus OGX-011 showed ongoing survival durations better than results published with chemotherapy alone. Phase 2 data were presented today at the 2008 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. OncoGenex and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS) are collaborating on development of OGX-011.

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, today announced $163 million to establish 11 new Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECRs). These centres will share $163 million to pursue major discoveries and bring them to the marketplace over the next five years.
“Today’s announcement marks a milestone in Canadian research history,” said Minister Prentice. “The technologies, therapies, services and products generated by these new centres will help improve the well-being of all Canadians while positioning Canada at the forefront of priority research areas. As we stated in our Science and Technology Strategy, this Government is committed to encouraging these exciting, multidisciplinary partnerships between the private, academic and public sectors.”

Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX: CMH) has received an order through Dubai-based GESOLAR — the company’s authorized aviation distributor in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — to supply solar-powered portable airfield lights for privately-owned airfield applications within the region. The order, valued at more than $600,000, provides the tools to enhance visibility and safety at remote airfields using energy-efficient LED (light emitting diode) beacons powered by clean, cost-effective solar energy.
Carmanah’s solar-powered LED airfield lights provide a wireless lighting alternative that is cost-effective, energy efficient, and easy to install wherever it’s needed. With no trenching or cabling required, a two-person crew can install a temporary runway lighting system in less than an hour, or create a permanent installation in a single day. Free from any need for wiring, cables, generators, fuel or electrical grid access, Carmanah’s remote-controlled airfield lights offer unparalleled convenience, reliability and performance.

February 12, 2008 (Victoria) – Vigil Health Solutions Inc. (“Vigil”) announces the results of operations for the quarter ending December 31, 2007. [...]

The federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion was in Victoria Saturday meeting with environmentalists and technology experts at the Vancouver Island Technology Park.

B.C.’s largest recycled training facility – the $21.6-million Trades and Technology Centre at the University College of the Fraser Valley’s new campus in Chilliwack – officially opened today. Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell, Environment Minister and Chilliwack-Kent MLA Barry Penner, and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Chilliwack-Sumas MLA John Les were on hand to open the centre.
“Our booming economy means we need more skilled workers than ever before, which is why increasing trades training in B.C. is a high priority for our government,” said Coell. “Every time we invest in skilled workers, it keeps our economy competitive and benefits everyone in the province.”
The 2.5-acre Trades and Technology Centre is part of the Canada Education Park, a collaborative initiative between local, provincial and international schools. The centre offers students a wide variety of high-quality programs, including architectural drafting, heavy duty commercial transport, automotive services, hospitality and event planning, electronics, professional cooking, carpentry, welding, joinery, and electrical work.